Memorial Day, Summer Stock, and last chance to vote

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How's that for a catch-all title?
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First off, happy Memorial Day to all the Americans out there, and be sure to take some time out of your day to remember those whose sacrifice keeps us free.
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Next up - Summer Stock! It is Memorial Day weekend after all, the self-declared start to the summer season, so get those cameras out and those shutter fingers ready. Summer Stock Sunday 2010 kicks off this coming weekend at 9pm Israel time, 2pm Eastern Daylight time on Saturday, June 5th - just a few more days and we're off and running - and to get you in the mood, what could be more summery sweet than a glass of freshly pressed sugar cane juice with ginger and lemon?
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Click to enlarge

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Speaking of just a few more days, today is in fact the very last day to vote for my portfolio in the Artists Wanted competition. At last check I had over 500 votes(!) and an average weighting of 4.7, an accomplishment which makes me both very very proud and extremely grateful to all of you for coming out and supporting me. Your votes will help put my portfolio in front of numerous industry buyers and solidify me as a serious - and commercially viable - fine art photographer, so thank you, thank you all so much. (Now what are you waiting for - go get that final click in already!)
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Wearing your heart on your... sky?

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Fence detail, Howth, Ireland (click to enlarge)

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You'll all be amused (and hopefully smile ruefully but empathetically) when I tell you that I spent an enormous amount of time trying to smooth out the mask of the heart element to avoid those little jagged bits on the inside before I finally realized that they weren't sloppy masking - they were paint drips from the last time it had been painted! Like with actual paint and a paintbrush! Sheesh...
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And if you'll permit me to be a bit of a pest a little while longer, have you starred my Artists Wanted portfolio yet today? Yes? Thanks! No? That's okay, there's still time to do it now :). (Look here if you haven't heard about the incredible photography contest I'm participating in. To "vote" for me all you need to do is click on the appropriate star (hint: the one on the far right is "fantastic"). That's it, it only takes a second, no registration or identifying details required, and will be very helpful in getting my portfolio in front of as many industry buyers and bigwigs as possible. Thanks so much for your help!)
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Visit Skywatch Friday for more skies from around the world.
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Metal Gate, Old Jaffa

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Jaffa really is a gold mine for window and door photos. So many choices, so little available light...
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I am so totally overcommitted this week it's not even funny (if you see a crazed woman running around like a chicken with it's head cut off mumbling about cameras and photo competitions don't be alarmed, it's just me). I've been trying to keep up with comments on my blog but I'm falling sadly behind. I'll get there, it may just take me a bit longer than usual. Besides the usual chaos that is my day to day life I also need to start cooking and packing for a multi-family camping trip this weekend. We're finally going back to Ganei Huga and I can't wait! (And yes, I'm bringing my camera along again.)
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Life will slow down a bit again next week. I think. I hope.
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In the meantime what is it they say in that movie? Just keep swimming? That'll be me, kicking those legs of mine as fast as I can just to stay in place.
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And if you'll permit me to be a bit of a pest a little while longer, have you starred my Artists Wanted portfolio yet today? Yes? Thanks! No? That's okay, there's still time to do it now :). (Look here if you have no idea what I'm talking about.)
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Ironwork, Old Jaffa

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Click to enlarge

Old Jaffa, home to so many of Tel Aviv-Jaffa's art galleries and artists' studios, has some of the most amazing doorways (and old stone buildings and small winding alleyways and all-around cool stuff) in Israel. What an amazing contrast with it's modern and quite cosmopolitan next door neighbor.
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If you're just checking in now, I'm competing in Artists Wanted, a very prestigious international photography competition. The grand prize is juried but the popular vote (how many people "star" my portfolio and how many stars they give it (hint: the last star on the right is the one for "fantastic") will determine how much exposure my portfolio receives from the industry professionals, gallery owners, etc. who are given access to the portfolio database after the competition ends.
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I'd be most grateful if you would star my portfolio by clicking through to it here and then clicking on the star of your choice down at the bottom of the page. It only takes a moment and no personal identification or registration is required and you can vote again every 24 hours.
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Thank you so much for your help in getting my work out there and in front of these key decision-makers. (And should you want to take one of these pieces home with you all the photographs in my portfolio, and many more, are offered for sale at Around the Island Photography.)
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Visit Wordless Wednesday to see what other people aren't saying this week, and Wordful Wednesday for what they are.
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Mazal Arieh, and some exciting news too

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Mazal Aryeh is the name of the little sidewalk bar in Old Jaffa where this somewhat incongruous little collection is on display. Definitely one of the odder things I've seen on beer taps, but oddly appealing at the same time, and definitely red.
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On the subject of red, I heard that a certain hostess with the mostest is having a birthday tomorrow so be sure to wish her well when you swing by. She's got an etsy shop too, so be sure to take a look at her lovely photos with an eye towards that blank spot on your wall.

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Speaking of selling photos, I'll spare you all the usual blurb about my own etsy shop this week (but please, do stop by and see what's on offer if you're looking for something extra-special to bring home) and tell you all instead that I've just taken a big step and entered my portfolio into the Artists Wanted competition, a very serious (and flippin' expensive - yikes!) competition for emerging photographers.

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I'd be most grateful if you'd click through to my portfolio and rate it (preferably highly ;)). All you need to do is click on the appropriate star, no registration or personal details necessary (hint: the 5th star on the right is “fantastic” – a 5-star rating). You can vote once every day until the contest closes.
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My Artists Wanted Portfolio - click here to view and rate

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Beyond the (albeit remote) chance of winning (a stupendously mindblowingly wonderful prize), the portfolio database will also be made available to a wide range of industry professionals, gallerists, etc. so I want to garner as much positive attention as possible to get my name and work in front of the people who call the shots.
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So please - vote early and vote often :).
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Thanks so much,
Robin
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I need your help - and your vote!

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Click to enlarge

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Hi everyone,
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I've just taken a big step and entered my portfolio into the Artists Wanted competition, a very serious (and flippin' expensive - yikes!) competition for emerging photographers. I'd be most grateful if you'd click through to my portfolio and rate it (preferably highly ;)). All you need to do is click on the appropriate star, no registration or personal details necessary (hint: the 5th star on the right is “fantastic” – a 5-star rating). You can vote once every day until the contest closes.
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My Artists Wanted Portfolio - click here to view and rate
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Beyond the (albeit remote) chance of winning (a stupendously mindblowingly wonderful prize), the portfolio database will also be made available to a wide range of industry professionals, gallerists, etc. so I want to garner as much positive attention as possible to get my name and work in front of the people who call the shots.
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So please - vote early and vote often.
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Thanks so much,
Robin
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